Meaning
侍从 refers to a person who serves and accompanies someone of high status, such as royalty, nobility, or officials. It emphasizes both the service aspect (侍) and the accompanying/following aspect (从). The term is commonly used in historical contexts for royal attendants or in formal settings for personal aides.
Usage
This word carries a formal or classical tone and is most often encountered in historical texts, period dramas, or formal writing about court life. In modern contexts, it's largely been replaced by more neutral terms like 助理 (assistant) or 随从 (entourage), though 侍从 specifically conveys the hierarchical relationship and loyalty involved in serving a superior.
Examples
- 01国王身边总是跟着几名忠诚的侍从。.The king was always followed by several loyal attendants.
- 02在古代,侍从的地位虽然不高,但能接近权力中心。, , .In ancient times, although attendants had low status, they could be close to the center of power.
Characters
Measure words
- 名两名侍从
- 个一个侍从
Common collocations
- 皇帝的侍从the emperor's attendants
- 贴身侍从personal attendant
- 侍从官aide-de-camp
Antonyms
Origin
The character 侍 combines the person radical 亻with 寺 (temple), originally suggesting someone who serves in a temple, later extending to serving nobles. 从 shows two people, one following another, representing accompaniment.